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We share evidence-based K-12 learning strategies that empower you to improve education.

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School Transformation Through Arts Integration at Bates Middle School

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Blogs on English Language Arts

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A Day in the Life of a Connected Classroom

Andrew MarcinekMarch 8, 2011

Tags Classroom Technology, Technology Integration, High (9-12), English Language Arts

I read many blogs and follow many tweets that suggest we should all connect, share, and collaborate more often. I agree. However, many times we say it and it sounds good, but we never get to see examples while trying to keep up with the real time tweet deck. It quickly turns into platitude chat. So I decided to welcome you, the reader, into my classroom and showcase what a typical, connected class looks like.

In Search of the Virtuous Mean: Helping Student Writers Find "The Sweet Spot"

Terri Van SickleMarch 2, 2011

Tags Literacy, Teacher Development, High (9-12), English Language Arts

A student-athlete who was struggling to narrow his topic for a piece of writing had an "a-ha" moment last week in class when I likened finding the sweet spot on a baseball bat -- not too close to the tip and not too close to the hand -- to findin

Using Farmville to Teach Standards

Linda DeneherFebruary 24, 2011

Tags Classroom Technology, Game-Based Learning, Lesson Plans, , Technology Integration, Middle (6-8), High (9-12), All Grades, English Language Arts, Geography, History, Math, Science

Today's guest blogger is Linda Deneher, a one-on-one tutor and student at an online Master of Educational Technology program.

The Fever Dream: A Personal Narrative Exercise

Todd FinleyJanuary 28, 2011

Tags Curriculum, Differentiated Instruction, Lesson Plans, Literacy, Teacher Development, All Grades, English Language Arts

On the first day of a composition class, even confident novice writers can be jittery and guarded, wary that they might get night-sticked by the grammar police. Will my inability to diagram sentences jeopardize my GPA?

The Votes Are In: Edutopia’s Tech Integration Lesson Contest

Mary Beth HertzJanuary 20, 2011

Tags Classroom Technology, Curriculum, Lesson Plans, Primary (K-2), Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), English Language Arts, History, Visual Arts

We had some wonderful submissions for the first-ever lesson contest and the votes are in. First of all, I want to thank the 7 wonderful teachers who submitted lessons. Educators are always looking for inspiration, and I'm sure your lessons have inspired Edutopia readers around the globe.

Here are the results of the contest voting:

1st Place (22 votes)
Lesson 5: Surreal Animation - submitted by Janine Campbell

Escuelas sin Fronteras

Milton ChenJanuary 17, 2011

Tags Diversity, Place-Based Learning, Teacher Development, Travel, All Grades, Arkansas, English Language Arts, California, World Language Learning, New Mexico, Texas

What does this title mean? Put it into Google Translate, or your favorite translation engine, and see. Technology is making it much easier for us to learn other languages.

Five Ideas for Using Pop Culture to Inspire Elementary Students

Gaetan PappalardoJanuary 13, 2011

Tags Arts Education, Integrated Studies, Lesson Plans, Primary (K-2), Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Drama, English Language Arts, Math, Music, Visual Arts

I had a student ask me for a month straight, almost every day, if it was okay to write a story about Transformers. At the beginning of each writing workshop, he would stroll up to me and ask the same question.

"Yes, you can write a story with Transformers in it." I thought I sounded sincere.

"Are you sure?" he would ask.

Have Students Sketch to Kill the Prewriting Jitters

Todd FinleyJanuary 7, 2011

Tags Integrated Studies, Student Engagement, Teacher Development, High (9-12), English Language Arts

Editor's Note: Today's guest blogger is Jonathan T Bartels, a PhD student at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who writes about education and technology at The Fraudulent Facilitator.

Seven Tech Integration Lesson Plans: Let the Voting Begin!

Mary Beth HertzJanuary 6, 2011

Tags Lesson Plans, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), English Language Arts, History, Visual Arts

Last week I asked for readers to submit lessons that integrate technology for a chance to win a copy of Steven Johnson's new book, Digital Tools for Teaching. We had seven entries, and now it is up to you to choose the winning lesson.

Simply read over the lessons and vote for the one using the Google Form. Votes will be tallied this week and the winner will be announced in my next post on January 20th.

Dragon's Den: A Reality TV Simulation for Research Writing (Guest Blogger)

Todd FinleyDecember 15, 2010

Tags Classroom Technology, Comprehensive Assessment, Formative Assessment, Mobile Learning, Student Engagement, Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts

Editor's Note: Today's guest blogger is Stephanie West-Puckett, a National Writing Project Teacher Consultant and a Teaching Instructor, Department of English, at East Carolina University